Why is there SO MUCH focus on time and keeping on track? / Why are you rushing me? / Shouldn't these types of appointments take as long as needed? 

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The longer an appointment is, the more it disrupts the office schedule and the appointments of other patients, the more tiring and taxing it is for the patient, and the more expensive the evaluation would be. Insurances often only allow us to charge for a certain appointment duration, which means that additional expense would be passed on to the patient. We want to keep our services affordable and accessible so we can help as many people as possible. 

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The entire appointment, from the clinical interview to the testing to the feedback, is structured to address your issues and concerns thoroughly but also concisely.  

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Being punctual and staying on track helps keep your 4-hour appointment from becoming a 7-hour appointment. 

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It’s also a matter of common courtesy to be mindful and respectful of other patients’ appointment times. No one wants to sit in a waiting room at a doctor’s office for an hour because they’re running behind.

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How long is the appointment? 

 

As discussed at the time of appointment scheduling, the duration of this evaluation is approximately 4 hours, and you are allowed breaks as needed. However, this duration can be impacted by your response speed, your ability to stay on-track and on-topic, and the length of breaks. If necessary to give your best effort, you may finish the evaluation on another day; keep in mind, though, that completing testing in a single day is ideal to limit other factors that may impact your performance. [See Also]

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What is 'standardized' test administration?

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Tests during the neuropsychological evaluation must be administered in a standardized way so that each test is given to every individual in the exact same way. Doing this allows us to better compare your performance to that of individuals closest to you in age and education. Standardized administration minimizes the potential for extraneous factors to influence your performance. For example, if one person is given very detailed instructions on a test, and another person is given very minimal instructions on that same test, then any differences in their performance may be better attributed to how well the person understood the instructions and not how well they could actually perform the test. 

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Do I HAVE to go through with testing? 

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No, all evaluations are strictly voluntary. We cannot make you or anyone else participate in testing. However, Dr. Mouras cannot rely on the interview alone to make any diagnostic decisions. [See Also]

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I'm really nervous about my appointment and about the testing. Is that normal? ​

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Many people are nervous about their appointment - it's perfectly normal. In some cases, having a better idea of what to expect during the appointment can help put your mind at ease. To learn more about neuropsychological evaluations, see here and here.

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I'm only have difficulty with memory, so why are you testing other thinking areas?

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It is important to see strengths and weaknesses across various cognitive domains to provide a more complete picture of where your cognitive functioning currently stands. Often, difficulty in one area is accompanied by difficulty in another area. Assessing your overall cognitive functioning can help inform Dr. Mouras about the particular features that are operating in atypical ranges and provide more accurate diagnostic conclusions and treatment recommendations.

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Why can't anyone come back with me for the testing? 

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The testing portion is limited to just the patient so as to avoid any extraneous variables or influences that an accompanying person might intentionally or unintentionally impose.

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How do I make an appointment for a neuropsychological evaluation?

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We require a referral from your physician, provider, or neurologist before we schedule you an appointment. If you have concerns that you think warrant testing, bring this up with your physician, provider, or neurologist and they can help you decide if an evaluation is the right choice for you. 

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Once we receive and review your referral, we will call you to set the date and time. In some cases, we may not be able to accept your referral (for instance, if we are out of network with your insurance or if you are seeking a particular type of evaluation we do not do, like a forensic evaluation).

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Should I bring someone with me to the appointment?

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That is entirely up to you (the patient). When memory is a primary cognitive concern, it can be helpful to bring someone along with you who can provide additional details and another perspective. Anyone accompanying you may also participate in the clinical interview portion of the appointment at your (the patient's) discretion. However, during testing, no one but you, the patient, will be allowed back. 

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Do I need to do anything to prepare for my appointment?

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There isn’t anything you are required to do in preparation for the appointment - there are no dietary restrictions or anything like that. We recommend, though, that you’re well rested for your appointment.

 

When do I need re-testing? 

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If warranted, re-testing is recommended after 1 to 2 years. You will need another referral from your physician, provider, or neurologist at that time.​

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Can I change my mind about doing the feedback appointment in person (or over the phone)?

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Yes, just call our office (at least a day before your appointment) to make the change. ​

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Who can see my report/results? 

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Your report will only be released to whomever you authorize on the Authorization for Release of Information form. Your report will not be automatically sent to your referring physician; you must specify which doctor(s) you’d like us to send the report to. If you are insured, your insurance provider will require submission of some information regarding the evaluation.

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Why was I given a mood/psychiatric diagnosis when I'm having trouble with memory or attention? 

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The short answer is that things like depression and anxiety can significantly impact your cognitive functioning. For more information, see here.

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Why wasn't I diagnosed with anything? / I know my cognitive functioning has declined, so why wasn't I diagnosed with anything? 

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Sometimes, the testing environment may reflect an ideal setting where you’re not distracted and are better able to focus. In such instances, your scores may reflect that optimal situation. Also, sometimes the decline in cognitive function that you experience is still well within the normal ranges for individuals most similar to you in age and education.

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I'm very sensitive to electronic screens - will that be a problem for me?

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No, we have paper-based options available for such instances. 

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I'm very sensitive to light and am worried I may get a migraine during testing. Is that a major problem?

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​Probably not. Ultimately, we can’t say if you will or will not have an issue - you know your body best. Our offices and testing rooms do have lamps that we can use in lieu of the overhead lights. Just let us know what you prefer.​​​​

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Should I take my medication before my appointment? 

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If you are being assessed for issues with attention, like ADHD, and you are currently on a medication that helps with your attention issues, then you may want to skip or delay your medication the day of testing so that we can get a better understanding of your baseline functioning, although any concerns could be clarified by your medication provider.